The CPI(M) has urged the government to pull out of a Memorandum of Understanding signed with Akshaya Patra Foundation, a non-profit wing of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, for supply of midday meals to over 50,000 children in 300 government schools in Puducherry.
In a statement, CPI (M) local unit secretary R. Rajangam said the menu planned by the Akshaya Patra Foundation did not meet the nutritional needs of the children.
It had completely avoided egg from the menu. The food would be prepared without using ingredients such as onion and garlic, he said.
The food was tailored for a particular strata of society.
It had not taken into account nutritional needs of rural students, he said.
‘Scrap agreement’
Urging the government to scrap the agreement, Mr. Rajangam said the Education Department should continue with the existing mode where food was prepared at its central kitchen at Lawspet and served in government schools.
As per the agreement, the Karnataka-based non-governmental organisation had planned to take over the midday meals programme from the department.
The organisation was planning to roll out the scheme from the beginning of the next academic year, he added.